Tennis players pick up padel fast — they already know how to move, volley and read the ball. But some tennis instincts are exactly wrong in padel. These ten adjustments will save you weeks of frustration. If you are new to the rules, start with padel rules explained.
1. Shorten your swing
A padel racket is shorter, heavier at the head and has no strings. Long, whippy tennis swings lose control. Use compact strokes, a firmer wrist and a shorter follow-through — more like a volley than a full forehand.
2. Let the ball come off the glass
Your instinct is to hit the ball before it reaches the back of the court. In padel, letting it bounce and come off the back glass gives you time and a better contact point. Turn your side to the glass, wait, and play the rebound.
3. Learn to love the lob
The lob is padel's most important shot. When the opponents are at the net, a good lob pushes them back and lets your team take the net. A flat drive from the back usually hands them an easy volley.
4. Play as a pair
Padel is a doubles game played as a unit. Move forward and back together, cover the middle (the most common target) and communicate. Leaving a gap between you is the fastest way to lose points.
5. Win — and hold — the net
Most points are won by the pair at the net. Get there behind a good lob or a deep shot, then volley with control rather than power. Smashes are only winners if they bounce high enough to clear the back wall or go out of the court; otherwise they come back.
6. Forget the big serve
The underhand padel serve is about placement and depth, not pace. Aim at the receiver's body or the glass corner and follow it to the net. More in padel scoring and the rules guide.
7. Hit lower and slower
A ball that bounces high off the back glass gives the opponents time. Keep the ball low over the net and use slice — the walls reward it.
8. Adjust your footwork
Padel footwork is shorter and more lateral: small steps, a split step as the opponent hits, and staying side-on to the glass. Sand-filled turf needs the right shoes — see padel shoes.
9. Choose a forgiving racket
Resist the most powerful diamond racket. A round or teardrop racket with a low to medium balance helps you learn the walls and control. Read how to choose a padel racket or try the find-my-racket quiz.
10. Be patient
Points in padel are built, not blasted. The team that makes fewer errors and waits for the right ball usually wins — even against harder hitters.
Biggest mistake: hitting hard and flat from the back of the court. In tennis it wins points; in padel it feeds the opponents at the net. Lob, wait, and attack only the high balls.
What carries over from tennis
- Volleys: your net skills transfer almost directly.
- Reading the ball: anticipation and timing help you a lot.
- Fitness: tennis movement makes padel feel easy at first.
- Scoring: almost identical — see tennis scoring explained.
Want the big picture? Read padel vs tennis, then follow the pros on our padel rankings and calendar. And to find your first racket, our free Padel Rackets app compares 1,700+ models — Android · iPhone.
Frequently asked questions
Is padel easier than tennis?
It is easier to start: the court is smaller, the serve is underhand and the walls keep rallies going. Tennis players usually rally comfortably within one session, but mastering the walls and padel tactics takes much longer.
Will padel ruin my tennis?
Not usually. Many players enjoy both. The main risk is shorter, wristier swings creeping into your tennis; playing both regularly and keeping full tennis strokes in tennis sessions avoids most issues.
What is the hardest thing for tennis players in padel?
Patience. Tennis players tend to hit hard and flat from the back of the court, which in padel usually gives the opponents an easy volley. Learning to lob, wait for the glass and build the point is the biggest adjustment.
Should tennis players buy a power racket?
Usually not at first. A round or teardrop racket with a low to medium balance helps you learn control and wall play. Your tennis swing already generates pace.